Electrolytic apparatus



sept; 1e. 1924. www

W. G. ALLAN ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Gngnal Filed Feb. 3. 1.920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 g4/mam You Sept. 16 1924.

WQ G. ALLAN ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS W. (5. ALLAN ELEGTROLYTI APPARATUS Sept. 16 1924.,

W., Amm

ELECTHGLYTIC @riginal Filed b. 3.1920 d lSheuets--Shet 4 fy/ W M .fr wf W WM Patented Septm 16, i924,

hl ll (Il l? I C E application niet?. Februery tl,

latosloi A il ratos; and it relutes more pnrticular paretus suitzihle 'fior producing ori/gen and hydrogen hy electrolysis oit Water.

lleretofore, apparatus :tor the prmluction of o gen and hydrogen ov electrolysis of 1 ha s heen ol. tivo i'nincipal types: jlirst,

wat the .so-culled pot type or individual c which is liluilt us an indiriduul unit., elect. cally connected to other cells in a hath hut not assembled therewith as a uuitui i structure; and second, the till-er o s ot `generator, in which a nurnl'icr o ual cells electrically7 connected in selles a, complete battery are mounted and hold together in a unitary construction, f much, in the nuinner ot the well lmoivn .er press, :trein which this `tjfpc olf gcnerffitor talfes its naine. ln the so-cell-cd pot njpc opt "nerator, there is orilinerilj; no ision :tor t. roul gion ot electro te which may he e solution o't either an 'li-:fnl or an ofihali, iii-Loopt such as muy incidentally occur inside the cell its to the thermal and other crllects oil clcctroljisis. There cre no ducts between cells Ytor circulating; the electrolyte and hence no shunt paths tor thc electric current. llonco neurly all the current is effective .in iin'oducinp; the gases, hydrogen and oxygen, troni the ter; und the current etliciency, (listinp;u-lhed from the energy ellicifnuu relatively very l h. 'there are two soparutc gras spaces or chambers above the clectrolvte level, in which the hydrogen evolved at the cathmle and thc oxygen evolved at the anode, on opposite sides oli a permeable diuiihraggin hetwoen the electrode,collect und are scparately conducted eivzrv tor use or storage.

ln the filter press type ol generator, special provision is made lor circulating the electrolyte. Oidinsrilf,7 there are no spaces above `the lndividnel cells., hut the hydrogen und oD-Lyggen are curiiied alonp;

3.9550, llerlel Me.

5,9%14 Renewed 21%, llft. lerial No. 569,014.

with the catholyte end anolyte respectively,

through seivrarute otltalte ducts forming a port olf the circulating; system; and the gases do not separate troln the accompanying; electrolyte until the?,7 reach collecting,1 and separating; tanks or chenihers, ot which there are usuallyv tivo to each battery, one Ytor zur oljrte and oxygen, and the other :tor catholjrte and hydrogen. Atter separation et the troni the electrolyte, the anolyte and catholyte niaj he separately conducted hach to the lower parts ot the anode and cathode chambers composing the cells of the battery, or the anolyte and cetholyte may conin'rlngrlo heitere lacing returned to the cells.

The filter press type oil Igenerator, al though itir incre economical ol' space than the pot type, sind usually less expensive to construct Yfor a L@given output capacity, has heen open to certein practical objections, uws/inc; which niet' he mentioned shunt cur-I rent losses, in the electrolyte circulutini1 s). teni., and also somewhat lower purity of the resultant gases, hydr fijen end oxygen, due in part to the dilhculty of preventing secondary clectrolytio action, with. consc- `quent evolution et hydrogen and oxygen at various points in the s vstcin other than in` charac nir either or hoth types, and also attainin.nl additional advantages, as will hereinafter appear.

`lli-n1erallj,r speaking, the apparatus of the present invention superliciallv resembles the lilter press type of @generator more than it does the pot type. ln the present eppzb .1, hou'cx'fer, the path or paths oft electe circluation ere shorter than in the Erlltr press type, circulution oi' electrolyte heilig effected within suhunultiple units or ,Irroiuis ot cells, and the number of cells 1n cach group heine; less 'than the total numher ol? cells constituting the battery; there being ordinarily, .moreover, no circulation of electrolyte between such units or groups. Furthermore, separate gas spaces for hydrogen andv oxygen are provided above the electrolyte level in the haltl cell compartments. Gas separates from the electron lyte in each cell at the surface ot said electrolyte', While electrolyte With or Without some gas in suspension or emulsion therewithtakes a separate path or paths to col lecting and separating chambers provided for each unit or group, the anolyte and catholyte being separately conducted from the cells of the group and being maintained separate throughout, or in any event until after substantially complete separation of the gas from .the electrolyte has been eftected in the' respective separating and col lecting tanks or chambers.l Gas separating,r from the electrolyteV in said chambers may be combined with gas led from the gas spaces or chambers provided above the electrolyte in the respective anode and cathodecompartments, and maybe conducted away for storage or immediate use; While theresidual electrolyte is' conducted back to the cells, most desirably still keeping the fanolytean'd catholyte separate byV the use ot' individual return ducts for each. ln my novel type ot' generator, therefore,

' there need be no continuous path ot electrically conducting electrolyte from one end of the complete battery of cells to the other, the total Anumber of cells, which may amount to several hundred in a given instance, beine subdivided into a. plurality of i units, say 6, 8, 10 orV 12'cells to the unit,

-type of generator. lating the electrolyte entirely Within .the `unit itself for purposes of taking;r oli" the yevolved gases, as distinguished from the use "ofoutside circulating ducts and otl'takes vheretofore employed.

for example, or such other number as may be convenient, thus" limiting the volt-drop across eacbunit to ay small figure. and largely obviating troubles with insulation and shunt current' losses. The arrangement permits each component unit. ot. battery to be suitably insulated. While at the lsameftime it avoids the high cost and greater floor space required for individual or pot typey cells. It permits batteries operating under voltages up to. say 750 volts or the like, to lbe installed Without too great shunt current` losses, and with the avoidance of most of the insulatingr troubles commonly encountered in the ilter press It also permits circu- Moreover, the arrangement lends itself Well to accurate regulation of the operatingr temperature ot the.` electrolyteV YWhere such regulation is deemed desirable.

A. more. complete understanding of the invention may be gained from consideration of a typical embodiment thereof shown y or the like.

in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described in detail and set forth in the appended claims.

ln these drawings,

Fig. 1 isI a perspective view in elevation showing' a typical installation of appara-- tus within the scope ot the invention for generating hydrogen and oxygen from Water;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through one of the units or cell-groups on the line 2 2, of Fig. 11. a portion ot the ligure at the right being a section on the line 2--2" iu order to further illustrate the mountingr ot the electrodes;

Fig'. 3 isl a horizontal section on the lino 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. el is a vertical section on the line it-"rd: of 2.

Referring lirst more particularly to Figs. 2, S and 41:, the unit or cell group therein illustrated comprises ten cells in this instance, although the number of. cells may of course be more or less than ten, if desired. The component cells of the unit are defined by intermediate separatingr Walls 10, and end Walls 10a, 10b, which in this instance also constitute electrode-supportingr plates; and the cell included between any tivo consecutive Walls' 1.0 is divided into an anode chamber 11, and a cathode chamber l2.y by a permeable diaphragm 13 ot asbestos cloth ln this instance. the cell Walls 10 are formed ot sheet metal, such as steel, nickel, nickeled steel, or the like. The marfins ot the alternating plates l0 and diaphragins 13 are firmly clamped between plane-faced rectangular metal frames 14e, Which are held iirmly clamped together in any suitable manner. .Tn this instance said iframes. plates and diaphragms are aper- Vtured to accommodate through bolts 15, and

the insulating sleeve 16 of any suitable insulatiner material, such as hard rubber, for example. in which said bolts are encased. The threaded ends ot. these through bolts carry nuts 17. provided with insulatiingY bushings 18. which nuts can be turned to exert any desired degree of clamping pressure on the assembled parts. Means should be provided for suitably insulating the rec- -tanfrular frame members 14 from the cell ivalls 10 and the diaphragms 13. ln the particular construction illustrated, a strip of sheet rubber 19 or the like is folded around the inner edge of each frame, cover- Ying` both flat faces thereof and extending:

slightly beyond the outer edfrcs of the trame. A similar sheet 20 of insulating; material is folded around the outer edge of each cell Wall 10 and covers both sides of the marginal portion thereof. A. double thickness of insulation is thus provided between each cell Wall and cell frame niember. For reasons which will appear herelll() mma,"

'lmeim the insulating; @heats 20 at th@ tmp 1i: 'enoifftllf unit extend down on ff. 1 wf mmh plut@ 01? 'wall l0 :for L Mdm am] bottom portions of 'the unit QMS. 21 nd i L wup me? hing il mi@ L', ml

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parts by a baille disc or partition 36, of which the one part opens into anode compartment A, and anolyte chamber 27, through aperture-s 37 and 38, respectively; while theother opens into the cathode compartment and catholyte chamber through apertures 39 and 40, respectively. The typical individual electrolyte-circulat',ig duct system just described for cell. A C is duplicatedV tor ea ch oi" thc other cells in the embodiment ott my invention here illustrated, althffugl` et course the. twoV sets oi" apertures, 3l, 32,

and 37, 39, in each pair oi"- duets 23. 30, 'for admitting and discharging electrolyte arranged in different planes ,For the re tive cells, as will be clear Ytrom inspeL ol Figs, 3 and Ll.

ln orde1 to maintain the electrolyte le Tel fll the same in both the anolyte and cathclyte chambers, a duct l2 extends through the lower part of the unit and is open at its ends to the anolyte and catholyte chambers below the liquid level therein; but this balancing duct 42 does not open into any of the cells,

and it contains no separating ball-le disc or partition. Accordingly 1t serves to equaliz sides or the diaphragm in the anode and Y flowing to the anolytel chamber 27 cathode hallcells or compartments. The anolyte and catholyte leave the cell and enter the conduit 30 through Vthe sets ot apertures 3? and 39. respectively,y on opposite sides of the division or baille dislr 36, the anolyte i at the right and the catholyte flowing to the catholyte chamber 23 at the lett. The relatively hotanolyte and catholyte thus enter the respective bodies ot electrolyte vnear the upper level il thereof, and they lose considerable heat through the conductive chamber walls 27il and 28, by conduction and radiation, when said chamber walls are of heat-con ducting material and are not protected by lagging, as in the particular apparatus here illustrated. As the electrolyte cools, it naturally sinks and is replaced by the continual influx of warmer electrolyte from the discharge ends of the conduits 30. As a coni sequence, the cooler electrolyte in the lower part of the chambers 27 and 28 is continually flowing into the intake ends of the conduits 29, and is entering the lower part of the respective anode and cathode compartments of cell A C, 'for example, from the portions of said conduit on opposite sides of baille disc` 33 through apertures 31 and 32,

respectively. ln the same way anolyte and catholyte circulate through each of the other cells ot the unit. Systematic circulation ot anolyte and catholyte separately for lach cell is therefore attainable merely by the effect olf the thermal head; this ellect being augmented of course by the mechanical action of the evolved gas bubbles on opposite sides ot the cell diaphragms. Under some conditions et operation, however, particularly where it is desired to operate with the electrolyte at a temperature ot' 160 to 1800 F. or higher, the resultant increased conductivity oi' the electrolyte may so increase the current density as to render it diilicult to prevent over-heating by the cumulative ef- 'lect thus produced, the no1-:nal heat radiating capacity of the apparatus being insuiiicient to bring about a condition ot heat equilibrium at the temperature deemed most suitable for operation in a given instance. For this reason, and also for the general pu pose ot aliording means ttor accurate control and regulation of temperature and the .n.taimnent the proper rapidity of' electrolyte circulation, it is sometimes desirable qc provide external cooling means for the chamber walls 27iL and 23, instead of relying simply upon air cooling. In the construction illustrated, such auxiliary cooling means takes the form oi water spraying devices 43, which may be arranged to direct water against said walls at a location near the electrolyte level 4l, at which level the electrolyte temperature is highest. This arrangement therefore provides for heat exchange at the greatest temperature differential, with maximum eiiiciency. llVhere an installation comprises several generating units or groups of cells, as illustrated in Fig. l, a single spray pipe between any two units may deliver a double spray curtain to cool the adjacent ends of said units. The water curtains flowing down the walls 27 and 2S may be received in suitable gutter means 44 or the like (Fig. l), discharging at 44 to a sump. or the water may be deflected away from the cell structure by any suitable means such as water sheds del. (Fig. 2), from which troughs or gutters, not shown, may conduct the cooling water to any convenient place of discharge. later for the cooling sprays may be supplied from a main 45 provided with valved branches 46 leading to the spray devices.

he electrolyte circulation ducts 29 and 30 extend transversely through all the cells, as shown; and the diaphragms and electrode supporting plates or cell division walls must :f ordinglv he suitably aperlured to permit this. Provision must also be made for effectively packing the `joints thus formed with the said ducts so as to render them liquid and gas tight. while at the same time proper precautions should be taken to prelll) nascente insulating inzuerinl such es rubber, ebonitey i cr the lilte. In the present exemple, the ducts nre composed of insulnting materiel' end instr-nid otbeing integ il, erich duct runde up olf` u; plurality oil unnulur seggineii i or rings that con be llt et? up the coinplete duct in n incliner incre or less nnulogous tothe llttinp; together olf if' Lrtebrre in the spine rllie rings di, olf wh ch the greater portion ot euch duct is built up, nre blinch` that is?` the here no peripheral openings llwo rings Llll ci? euch duct :ire :ipc'rturcd to provide the afl'orcseid pes siigcs 3l, 325 or 37, es the onse inny bcD to perrnit inflow oi electrolyte into the Wirticuluf cell served by uny given duct.) or i to permit outflow oil electrolyte troni such cell into the duct. llurtherinorcy the ter ininzil rings 418 of euch duct nre ziperturccb es elneedy pointed out, :tor dischurn'e oli' electrolyte into the zinolyte or cutholyte chamber, or to receire electrolyte there from, lech of the duct rings is shouldered ns indirrttcd :it i9 to ucconiniodete het Yeen euch parir ci rings the entering edl of the di:iiiilirngins ll und ln hing plates 1l). ln the cose o'll the bucking pleiten, insuln- 'tion pz, hingl 5th, such :is sh rubber or the liltcr is interposedbetween me pleite zind the pnir ci" rings abutting there nfggninst. tl1er-mordt siniilnr insulzition rnziy be used 'where desirubley es indicetcd et 5lN to peck the ineting trices oil the rings. The neccssnry pressure to hold the duct ringe-3j pooltinktg., cto, in i'irrn zisseinblegge muy be applied by tiiglrteningi nuts 52., Working on the threaded extensions of through rods 'lhe which entend substantially et right ongles to the piene bearing; feces ci the cell ire-nies 14h Wherebj-iY the end Wells or plates ill and Q82" nnry he forced lirinly against the cnw ol seid ducts interiicfiied pficlrinp; beingdesirnbly employed, :is et 52% The nuts :nid rods l ere suitztbly insulated 'from seid fl l) phi by iiisulzttiirggl bu hinge 553.

ine oil the h dr: und or; 7een evolved in the celle pese-s :frein the cells with the cetholyte end :inolyte respectively into the co pending duct ll und enters the eetholytc and inolytc cheinbcrs in that weyg ernplc opportunity being otl'orded for separation of such hydrogen end oxygen from the ietl'iolyte und enolyte during* their psssege downward to the ducts 29, by reason oit the cc-nsidereble hydrostatic heed oi electrolyte rnziintuined, i; h seperated mees of courier-i U5' into the spaces nid he, ior

together to insite oxygen :ind hydrogen respectively, above the electrolyte level inI seid cluinibei-is, l? or the :moet part, however, the evolved gases pass up around the ducts 30 into the oxygen spaces 5G :ind hydrogen spaces 5T :ibo-ve the electrolyte level. These spnces 56 endo? naturally serve es preliminary individuel collectors for the respective cells, but in thein occurs eepuretionot electrolyte en trained by the evolved grises, :is Will presently eppeer. Frein the species 5G oxygen pzisses through channels 5d intoen inrygenA collecting chamber 59 ebove which extends purellel to the ducts 30. rllhis oxygen-collecting chamber opens into the lrnolyteoxygen clieinber Q7, es indicnted et 60; but is closed et its opposite end end hns no coinrnunicution with the cetholyte-hydrogen chernber 28, being; sepzrretedi 'frein the letter by the double well* composed ci the end cell Well 10b und ein overlying1 well' Gl, which is inost desirnbly olf copper. Simi* lerly, hydrogen passes from spaces i7 above the electrolyte level in the cathode compartments through pnsseges Gil', which lend into the hydrogen collecting chamber G3. The hydrogen chamber opens only into the cuitholyte-hydrogen` chamber7 and et its opposite end is closed and seperated from the unolyte-oxygen chamber by the double well composed of end cell WelllOa' .find Well Gli, Which is edventegeously 0l iV goedy conducting nietnl such es copper. Both the oxygen cuterin space il" from the oxygenA collecting` cheinber 59; and also that disn engaged troni the unolyte dischurged into the nnolyte cheinber, may pnss oll through un oxygen oilftelre G5 into oxygen header 6G, :my entrnined liquid which muy be inechenicffilly cerriedover into theheederwith the oxygen gas being` drained olii througli pipe 67 into en nnolyte supply tenir GS, .from which it may be Withdrawn or dis charged to Weste through i Velyed outlet (it), or otherwise disposed ot. Similarly hydrogen eccuinuleting in ges space 55 eboye the cetholyte is led oil'A through hydrogen otlltzihe 7() into hydrogen'hender 7h entreined liquid being` drained off through drnin pipe 72 into receiving trink 73 The receivingtenlre Gta end rl ire counectedineer ltheir lower ends by vzilved er;uelizing y pipe Me The ges collecting chambers 59 und (lil ore inostdesirably formed in e manner analmogous to the torinaticn ot the electrolyte circulation conduits 29 and 30. ln the specilic construction here shown, seid chain bers :ire formed by a plurality of long;` rectangular slabs or blocls 75 oiiinsulzitingniw teriel, such es herd rubber,` for exemple, each npertured in such manner that when similar apertures provided in thedieu llt) phragms 13 and the cell walls, the chambers 59 and 63 are formed. Each of these chambers therefore extends through all the diaphragms, and all but one of the cellwalls. The apertures in the cell walls l0 are somewhat larger in cross section than the said collecting compartments, and the resulting annular lspace left between the edges of the lleft pervious or permeable by electrolyte.

Sheet rubber or the like 78 covers the end wall 10b where the latter closes the oxygen collecting chamber 59; and insulating gaskets 7 9 and 80 serve to insulate the edges of double end wall 10a, 64C, from the discharge outlet of said chamber. The hydrogen-collecting chamber 63 is similarly insulated from saidendy walls. It will be apparent, therefore, that the walls of said gascollecting chambers are wholly non-conduct ing, as are also those of the electrolyte ducts.

, Furthermore, the outer faces of the double end walls 10a, 64C, and 10b, 6l, are covered with insulating material 81. By reason of thisfuse of insulation to protect all surfaces outside of the cells themselves which are posed directly or indirectly to contact with electrolyte, and which might provide indirect current paths between any anode and .cathode in the unit, the shunt current losses are much reduced.

By providing the alternating series 58 and 62 of restricted narrow passages for conducting oxygen and hydrogen, respectively,

l from the corresponding anode and cathodeil celll compartments into the collecting chambers 59 and 63, it is possible to prevent the gases, as they rise with considerable velocity from the surface of the electrolyte in the v cell compartments, from carrying with them into the gas-collecting chambers such a large amount Vofthe moisture or electrolyte enclos ing the said gas bubbles as they would other! wise carry. The tendency is for the major portion of such bubbles to strike theunder side'of the rectangular frames '75 and to burst, thus releasing the gas and dropping the accompanying moisture for the most part, while the gas thus freed can pass on up through the passages Sand 62 into the gascollecting chambers. Y f

Several multicell units can be elect 1ically connected together inV series by any suitable means. As here shown, bars 82 of copper or the like provide Nsuchrconnection, being secured to the projecting edges of adjacent end cell walls 61. Current supply leads (not shown) may be attached to the walls 61 at the eXtreme ends of the battery. A pipe 83, entering either electrolyte chamber of each unit, and extending upward outside the unit to a point above the electrolyte level, may serve as a filling intake for replenishing the water supply and also, if desired,

liquid Vlevel gauge. Pipes S4 and 85 lead from the lower part of the electrolyte tanks or chambers, and permit draining the electrolyte therefrom, when necessary. The units may be individually mounted on trucks having rollers S6 running in tracks 87, whereby any unit, after being disconnected from the others, may be moved out and replaced, if desired, by another.

F rom the foregoing description it will be seen that the present apparatus may be considered to be in effect a compromise between what is commonly known as the filter press type of generator on the one hand, in which the total number of cells in the battery are all clamped together and provided with a common electrolyte circulation system; and, on the other hand, generators commonly referred to as of the pot type, consisting of individual and mechanically independent cells, usually without any system for electrolyte circulation.

Since liquid tightness is an indispensable characteristic of apparatus of this kind, the specific construction shown in the drawings and hereinbefore fully described, is highly advantageous because enabling this result to be acl :eyed in asimple and effective manner. It will be seen that the specific construction illustrated adheres strictly to the principle, of'providing a series of parallel plane abutment surfaces for the various component parts of the apparatus, such as the cell frames, electrode-supporting plates, dia phragms, etc., all of which may be properly assembled and clamped together by a series of bolts or buckstays extending at right angles to the parallel plane surfaces and situated either wit-hin the cell frame border as here illustrated, or optionally and ordi- ,narily less desirably, outside the cell frames.

In the latter case, the arrangement may obviously be such that insulation for separat'n ing the bolts or buck-stays from the rest ol' the apparatus is required 'only at the two ends plates of an7 given unit or group of cellsl so clamped together.

The employment of gaskets composed oi soft rubber sheet or other suitable material, wherever surface of hard non-resilient material are clamped together, whether thescbe steel plates, steel frames or hard insulating parts such as duct rings, etc.` not only reuders the joints between the adjacent surfaces liquid tight and gives the effect of a cushion1 between the parts, but at the saine time the Vtuieratrifr temperature is under cmnplete control within wide nits. Nevertheless, it

is not to be inferred that the provision of special cooling' means is essential in the broader aspects of the invention.

It Will be observed that the described construction gives a minimum surface for heat radiation, ditlering in this respect also `from electrolysers ieretotore proposed in Whichmeans external to the apparatus may be pro i led for cooling or temperature regulation.; This an important consideration Where the amonnt otrelectrical energy degraded-'to hea-t is relatively small compared tothe vtotal electrical energy supplied, because the most desirable Workinq temperature, say 16()O to i800 F. in a typical eirample, or some other preferred operating temperature or range of temperatures,

might not be readily attainable in designs in which the radiation surface is ol relatively greater extent. Under Vsome circumstances, even in employing the apparatus described,y it may be found desirable to still further reduce the loss of heat by radiation or otherwise :trom such surfaces are exposed, by applying eXteriorly-some suitable form ot. heat insulation. The present construction offers special advantages in this respect because theY four sides Vand two` end Walls ot the unit are flat and smooth, and substantially treel from obstructions such as ottake or intake pipes, etc., thus rendering it a very simple matter tol apply heat insulation or lagging, and the covering once applied need not be interfered with until it becomes necessary to entirely dismantle the cell. Y

The type of apparatus herein disclosed is capable of being operated at relatively high current densities, say from l to 3 amperes or more per square inch of projected electrode area.

Vhile a specic embodiment of the invention has been describedv for the purpose ot fully explaining),u the principles involved, it is notJ to be interred that the invention is restricted to the particular details shown.

What I claim-is:

VVl. 'Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality oli' cells, each havingv an anode chamber and cathode chamber anolyte container means, catholyte contain er means, and conduit means whereby each oit said anode chambers is individually connected to said anolyte container means, and each of said cathode chambers is individually connected to said catholyte container means, for circulation ot anolyte and catholyte, respectively.

2. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, 1n

fr combination, a; plurality of cells, each having an anode chamber and cathode chamber, anolyte container means, catholyte container means, said cells and said container means beine' assembled in a structural unit, and conduit means disposed within the interior of said unit whereby each ot said anode chambers and cathode chambers .is individually connected, respectively, to said anolyte container means and cntholyte container means, l'or circulation oi anolyte and catholyte, respectively.

3. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a plurality of plates assembled in suitably spaced and insulated relation to provide a series ci' cells, electrolyte container means distinct therefrom, and conduit means whereby electrolyte may circulate between said cells and said container means.

lllectrolytic apparatus comprising a plurality oi plates assembled in suitably7 spaced and insulated relation to provide a series of cells, electrolyte container means and conduit means providing passages through said plates and affording communication between said cells and said container means.

llectrolytic apparatus comprising a pluralityv ot plates assembled in suitably speed and insulated relation to provide a series ot cells having anolyte and catholyte containers, respectively, located at opposite ends ot said series, and conduit means, whereby anolyteand catholyte, respectively. may circulate between said cells and said containers.

6. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality ot' cells assembled in a multi-cell unit, each cell comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, anolyte container means, catholyte container means and individual intake and ottake ducts separately connecting each ol the. anode and cathode cell compartments, independently l: the others, to said anolyte container means and catholyte container means, respectively.

7. Electrolytic apparatus con'iprising, in combination, a plurality oi Hat cells, each having,l an anode compartment and a cathode connaartment, assembled in series as a unit, an anolyte container at one end ot the series, a catholyte container at the other end oi' t-he series, a plurality of ducts, two for each cell, extending through all the cells and opening into both sai d anolyte container and said catholyte container, said ducts being arranged in two sets, namely, olitake ducts and intake ducts, and means dividing each duct into tivo separate parts communicating, respectively, with said anolyte container and said catholyte container, each said anode compartment having communication with the anolyte part ot only one oftake duct and one intake duct, and each cathode compartment havingr communication With the catholyte part of only one olftake duct and one intake duct.

llll

lfltl 'uscente ln electrolytic apparatus of the char actor described, the combination, `with a pluralityof cells assembled in a unit, of ductmeans extending through said cells, said duct means comprising a plurality of aper tured members situated between the walls of` saidcells With their apertures registerin l with cooperating apertures in the cell ivalls.

9. In electrolytic apparatus of the character described, the combination, with a plurality of annular cell frames having plane abutment faces, a plurality of cell Walls having plane margins,` a pli'lrality of planefaced diaphragmssupporting members, the cell Wall and diaphragm-supporting inembers being clamped in alternating arrangement between successive pairs of cell frames, and duct means extending through the assemblage and comprising a plurality of coa operating annular members having plane abutment faces.

l0. In electrolytic apparatus of the char acter described, the combination, with a cell compartmenthaving a gas collecting space in the upper part thereof, of a gas duct passing through said compartment, and a plurality of restricted passages connecting said compartment With said gas duct.

ll. In electrolytic apparatus of the char acter described, the combination, `with a cell compartment havingI a collecting space in the upper part thereof, of a gas duct pass ing through the upper part of said compartment and means permitting passage of gas from said compartment into said duct, but obstructing passage of liquid.

l2. Electrolytio apparatus comprising, iu combination, a plurality of cells assembled in series, an anolyte container at one end of the series, a catholyte container at the other end of the series, a duct system for circulating electrolyte between said containers and said cells, and means for applying cooling liquid to a Wall of each said container.

i3. lnelectrolytic apparat-us, the coinbination of a plurality of separate members, all having parallel and accurately plane abutment surfaces, cooperating to form a multi-cell unit, substantially as shown and described.

ll. ln electrolytic apparifitus, the combination, with cell-'forming elements, of duct means composed of a plurality of aperturclil disks, or blocks of insulating or .insulated material, provided with plane abutment surfaces.

l5. ln electrolytic apparatus of the character described, the combinatioiii, with a cell compartment having a gas collecting space in the upper part thereof, of a gas oli'talie duct passing through said compartment and communicating' 'with said gas space, and an-v other olftake duct passing through said compartment below the first mentioned duct and communicating with said rfompartment.

lr6. ln 4 elcctrolytic` apparatus of the characier described, the,combination, `vvith a oeil compartment having a gas collectingspace in the upper part thereohcf a offtake duct passing through said compartment and communicating with said gas space through passage means permitting free entry of gas from said collecting space into said duct buthindering entry o' liquid,`and another' otftalre duct passing through said compartment below the lirst mentioned duct and apertured to permit free passage `of liquid thereinto from said compartment.

l, ln electrolytic apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of assembled cells each having a gas collecting space in the upper Vpart thereon of gas olftake conduit means extending through said cells and apertured to com inunicate `with said gas collecting spaces, and additional offtalre conduit means extending through said cells at a lower level and apertured to receive electrolyte from said cells.

18. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of cells, each comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, anolyte containermeans, catholyte container means, a plurality of offtale conduits and a plurality of return conduits connecting' said anode chambers with said anolyte container, and a plurality of olfu taire conduits and a plurality of return conduits connecting said cathode compartments with said catholyte containen i9, ln electrolytic apparatus, the combination of a plurality of annular cell frame meijnbers, cell Walls, and diaphragme, all having substantially parallel plane abutment surfaces, and pressure means acting substantially at right angles to said surfaces, and maintaining the parts operatively assembled.

20, In electrolytic apparatus, the combination, with cell-forming elements, of duct means comprising a plurality of disks each having a pluralityof apertures and provided with plane end faces.

21. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination, with an annular cell frame, of an annular duct member located Within the space peripherally bounded by said cell frame and extending in the general direction of the cell frame axis, the length of said duct member being` substantially equal to the axial thickness of the cell frame,

ln electrolytic apparatus, the combina tion, with a casing comprising a plurality of annular casing members having coopern ating abutment surfaces, of a plurality of blocks or slabs corresponding innumber and thickness With the cell frames and assembled to divide the space Within the casing into a lower part and tivo upper parts extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing, electrode and diaphragm means arllt) . secured together, in combination with electainer means distinct from trede and diaphragm means Within said casing, and a plurality of duct-forming members structurally separate from said frames and assembled Within the inner periphery thereof to provide fluid conduits electrically insulated'from said frames.

y24. In electrolytic apparatus ot' the character described, the combination, with a plurality of cells forming a battery, of a plurality of separate duct means, each said Separate duct means extending through a plurality of cells in said battery, said duct means being arranged to form separate circulatory systems for said battery.

25. In electrolytic apparatus of the character described, the combination, in a batery comprising cells in sutlicient numbers to be'counted in a plurality of groups of cells, a plurality of separate duct means, each said separate duct means extending through a plurality of cells in said battery forming a group, said plurality of duct means being arranged to form separate circulatory systems 4for said groups. f

26. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of cells forming a battery and With said cells in suliicient numbers to form a plurality ot groups, a separate electrolyte circulatory system for each group, each system comprising duct means extending through the plurality of cells forming the group.

27. Electrolytic apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality of cells forming a battery and zwith said cells arranged to form a plurality of groups, a separate electrolyte circulatory system for each group, gas collecting chambers for each group, and common mains for collecting the gases Jfrom chambers of diterent groups.V

28. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination in a battery, a plurality of mul- Vti-celled units, a separate `circulatory system for each unit including electrolyte consaid cells of said units.V

V29. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination in a battery, a plurality ot' multi-celled units, a separate elctrolyte circulatory system for each of said units comprising electrolyte containers meach unit,

said containers having outer Walls forming opposite boundary Walls of said unit, and means positioning said units in said battery to space apart said boundary Walls of adjacent units.

30. Electrolytic apparatus comprising, in combination in a battery, a plurality of multi-celled units, a separate electrolyte circulatory system for each said unit comprising electrolyte containers in each unit, said containers having outer Walls forming opposite boundary Walls ol said unit, means positioning said units in said battery to space apart said boundary Walls of adjacent units, and means for directing a cooling medium in contact with said Walls.

31. An electrolytic apparatus, comprising a plurality of frame-like separate members all having abutment surfaces, cooperating to form a multi-cell unit, elements engaged between the abutment surfaces, and common and removable means for securing the members and elements together.

'32. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a plurality of annular frame members arranged end-to-end to form a cell, structurally separate members spaced apart Within the cell and dividing the same into a plurality of compartments, electrode elements carried by said dividing members, and diaphragm members alternating with and spaced from said dividing members, and means for holding the parts properly assembled.

33. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a plurality of annular iframe members arranged end-to-end to form a cell, structurally separate members spaced apart within the cell and dividing the same into a plurality of compartments, electrode element-s carried byY said dividing members, and diaphragm members alternating with and spaced from said dividing members, said diaphragm members being supported by .engagement between frame members, and

means iter holding the parts properly assembled.

B1-l. Electrode apparatus comprising a plurality ot annular cell frames having parallel bearing faces, a plurality of diaphragm members spaced apart by said frames and being supported by engagement of the bearingfaces, structurally separate electrode members in alternate arrangen'ient relatively to the diaphragms, means for supporting the electrode members, and means for holding the parts properly assembled.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature.

WILLIAM G. ALLAN. 

